Storage Device for Toy Building Components

ABSTRACT

A building set includes a container and several building components placeable in a receptacle defined by the container. The container has a sidewall with a opposite ends. A cover is coupled to one end of the sidewall, and another cover is removably coupleable to the other end of the sidewall. Each cover includes a building portion. The building portion of one cover has the same configuration as the building portion of the other cover. The building components are engagable with the building portion on either or both of the covers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/571,732, filed Oct. 1, 2009,entitled “Storage Device for Toy Building Components,” Attorney DocketNo. 0621.1665CIP, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated hereinin its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a toy building set including acontainer and a plurality of building components retainable in thecontainer. The container includes a first cover coupled to a first endof the container, and a second cover removably coupled to a second endof the container. Each of the covers includes a building portionengagable with the building components. The building portion of thefirst cover has the same configuration as the building portion of thesecond cover.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Young children enjoy grasping and stacking play implements, such asbuilding blocks. Building blocks with connection means that can be usedto couple or stack blocks together are generally known. Some buildingblock sets are sold and retained in conventional storage bins. Althoughsuch conventional storage bins retain the building blocks when not inuse, they offer little or no additional entertainment benefit for thechild. Various attempts to provide a storage bin having a lid with abuilding surface have been made. However, such lidded storage binsprovide only a single building surface with limited play configurations.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a storage device for toybuilding components that provides multiple engagement surfaces for theassociated building components, and provides various play configurationsthat enhances entertainment value for the child.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a building set including a containerand a cover removably coupled to the container. The container has anupper end, a lower end, and a sidewall. The sidewall and the lower enddefine a receptacle into which building components can be placed. Theupper end of the container defines an opening in communication with thereceptacle. The lower end of the container includes an outer surfacedefining a first building portion on which the building components canbe placed, the first building portion having a configuration. The coveris coextensive with the opening of the container, and includes an outersurface defining a second building portion on which the buildingcomponents can be placed. The configuration of the second buildingportion is the same as the configuration of the first building portion.

In one embodiment, the first building portion includes a plurality ofprojections extending outwardly from the outer surface of the lower endof the container. The second building portion includes a plurality ofprojections extending outwardly from the cover. Each of the buildingcomponents includes a recess or cavity that receives a selected one ofthe plurality of projections on the first building portion or on thesecond building portion.

In one embodiment, the cover is a first cover and the lower end of thecontainer includes a second cover fixedly coupled to a lower end of thesidewall of the container, wherein the second cover includes the firstbuilding portion. Each of the first and second covers may include a bodyportion and a wall portion defining a receptacle. The wall portion ofthe first cover receives the first end of the container sidewall, andthe wall portion of the second cover receives the second end of thecontainer sidewall.

In one embodiment, the cover includes a handle pivotally coupledthereto. The sidewall of the container may include a projection orlocking protrusion. The handle may be oriented so that it engages thelocking protrusion and couples the cover to the sidewall.

The present invention also relates to a building set including acontainer and a plurality of building components. The container has asidewall with a first end and a second end opposite the first end. Afirst cover is fixedly coupled to the first end of the containersidewall, the first cover and the sidewall collectively forming areceptacle. A second cover is removably coupleable to the second end ofthe container sidewall. The first cover includes a building portion, andthe second cover includes a building portion. The building portion ofthe first cover has the same configuration as the building portion ofthe second cover. The building components are placeable in thereceptacle defined by the container, and engagable with the buildingportions on the first and second covers.

In one embodiment, the building set includes a ramp component having afirst end and an opposite second end. The first end of the ramp isreleasably coupleable to the first cover. The second end of the ramp isreleasably coupleable to the second cover when the second cover isremoved from the second end of the sidewall.

In one embodiment, the second cover includes a first side and anopposite second side. The building portion of the second cover isdisposed on the first side. The second side includes a nesting surfaceengagable with the building portion of the first cover, so that thefirst cover may be releasably coupled to the second cover.

The present invention also relates to a building assembly including asidewall having a first end and an opposite second end. A first cover isfixedly coupled to the first end of the sidewall. The first coverincludes a body portion and at least one projection extending outwardlyfrom the body portion. The first cover and the sidewall define areceptacle. A second cover is removably coupled to the second end of thesidewall. The second cover includes a body portion and at least oneprojection extending outwardly from the body portion. The at least oneprojection of the first cover has the same configuration as the at leastone projection of the second cover.

In one embodiment, the building assembly includes a plurality ofbuilding components, which are placeable in the receptacle defined bythe first cover and the sidewall. Each of the building components isengagable with the at least one projection on the first cover and on thesecond cover.

In one embodiment, the building assembly includes a ramp componenthaving a first end and an opposite second end. The first end of the rampcomponent is releasably coupleable to the first cover. The second end ofthe ramp component is releasably coupleable to the second cover when thesecond cover is removed from the sidewall of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a building assembly accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a building set according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective assembly view of a container of thebuilding set of FIG. 2, showing a sidewall of the container and covers;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top perspective view of the sidewall and a cover;

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the sidewall and thecover of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top perspective view of the another cover of thecontainer of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the cover of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of the container showing one coverpartially nested on the other cover;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded fragmentary view of a cover of thecontainer of FIG. 2 showing a projection;

FIG. 10 illustrates a front cross-sectional view of a cover of thecontainer of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 illustrates a front assembly view of a cover and a handle of thecontainer;

FIG. 12 illustrates a partial perspective view of the handle of FIG. 11showing an end of the handle;

FIG. 13 illustrates a partial perspective view of the cover of FIG. 11showing a protrusion extending outwardly from a sidewall of the cover;

FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of the container showing the handle in afirst position;

FIG. 15 illustrates a side view of the container showing the handle in asecond position;

FIG. 16 illustrates a partial exploded perspective view of the sidewallof the container and the handle in one orientation;

FIG. 17 illustrates a partial exploded perspective view of the sidewallof the container and the handle in another orientation;

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of the building set of FIG. 2showing a cover decoupled from the container sidewall and buildingcomponents coupled to the building portions of the covers;

FIG. 19 illustrates a perspective view of a container and a rampcomponent releasably coupled to the covers of the container of FIG. 2;

FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective assembly view of the container and theramp component of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of a building set according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 22 illustrates a perspective view of a container of the buildingset of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 illustrates a perspective top view of a cover of the buildingset of FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 illustrates a perspective bottom view of the cover of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 illustrates a perspective view of another cover of the buildingset of FIG. 21;

FIG. 26 illustrates a perspective view of a building set according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 27 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the building set ofFIG. 26, showing the first and second covers detached from a containerof the building set;

FIG. 28 illustrates a perspective view of a building set according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 29 illustrates another perspective view of the building set of FIG.28 viewed from another orientation;

FIG. 30 illustrates another perspective view of the building set of FIG.28, showing a cover of the building set in an open position; and

FIG. 31 illustrates a perspective view of a building set according toanother embodiment.

Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elementsthroughout this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,”“bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,”“lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may beused herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do notlimit the present invention to any particular orientation orconfiguration. Further, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc.,merely identify one of a number of portions, components, positionsand/or points of reference as disclosed herein, and do not limit thepresent invention to any particular configuration or orientation. Eitherof the covers of a building set as described herein can be referred toas a “first cover” and a “second cover.”

FIG. 1 illustrates schematic diagram of a building assembly S1 accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. Building assembly S1 includesa container 10 having an upper end portion 12, a lower end portion 14,and a sidewall 16. The sidewall 16 and the lower end portion 14 define areceptacle 17 into which building components 40 (shown in phantom withinthe receptacle 17) can be placed. The upper end portion 12 defines anopening 18 in communication with the receptacle 17. The lower endportion 14 of the container 10 includes an outer surface 20 defining abuilding portion B1 on which the building components 40 can be placedand releasably attached. The building portion B1 has a configuration asshown.

Building assembly S1 also includes a cover 60 removably coupleable tothe container 10. The cover 60 is coextensive with the opening 18 of thecontainer 10 in that it covers the opening 18. The cover 60 has an outersurface 62 defining a building portion B2 on which the buildingcomponents 40 can be placed. The building portion B2 has a configurationthat is the same as the configuration of the building portion B1. Assuch, the building components 40 may be releasably attached to eitherbuilding portion B1 or building portion B2.

A building set S2 according to another embodiment is illustrated in FIG.2. Building set S2 includes a container 100 and a plurality of buildingcomponents 500. In one embodiment, each of the building components mayinclude a body or block portion with a movable insert retained therein.When a force is applied to one end of the insert, the insert is movedrelative to the body so that it extends outwardly from the body.

Referring to FIG. 3, the container 100 includes a sidewall 102 with ends104 and 106 that are opposite each other. In this embodiment, thesidewall 102 extends continuously around the perimeter of the container100. However, in other embodiments, the sidewall 102 may containportions that are not continuous. The container 100 also includes covers150 and cover 200, which will be described in greater detail below.Cover 150 can be referred to as either a first cover or a second coverfor the container 100. Similarly, cover 200 can be referred to as eithera first cover or a second cover for the container 100. The buildingcomponents 500 may be placed in a receptacle 108 defined by thecontainer 100.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, cover 150 includes a body portion 152having an outer side 154 and an inner side 156 opposite the outer side154. A sidewall 158 extends from the inner side 156 of the body portion152. The inner side 156 of the body portion 152 and the sidewall 158collectively form a recess 160 configured to receive end 104 of thesidewall 102 of the container 100. Cover 150 may be fixedly coupled toend 104 of the sidewall 102, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, such as by anadhesive or one or more connectors. Cover 150 also includes a buildingportion B1′. As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, building portionB1′ includes several projections 162 a, 162 b, 162 c, 162 d, 162 e, and162 f extending outwardly from the outer side 154 of the body portion152.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, cover 200 is removably coupleable to end106 of the sidewall 102 of the container 100. Cover 200 includes a bodyportion 202 having an outer side 204 and an inner side 206 opposite theouter side 204. A sidewall 208 extends from the inner side 206 of thebody portion 202. The inner side 206 of the body portion 202 and thesidewall 208 collectively form a recess 210 configured for receiving end106 of the sidewall 102 (as shown in FIG. 2).

In one embodiment, cover 200 includes a building portion B2′ that hasthe same configuration as the building portion B1′ of cover 150. Asshown, building portion B2′ includes several projections 212 a, 212 b,212 c, 212 d, 212 e, and 212 f that extend outwardly from the outer side204 of the body portion 202 of cover 200. The projections 212 a-f ofcover 200 have the same configuration as the projections 162 a-f ofcover 150. In another embodiment, the configuration of building portionB1′ and the configuration of the second building portion B2′ may differ.

In one embodiment, the building portions B1′ and B2′ have the sameconfiguration in that each has projections that extend outwardlyrelative to the container 100. In one embodiment, the building portionsB1′ and B2′ may have the same quantity of projections. In anotherembodiment, the projections of the building portions B1′ and B2′ havethe same overall shape. In addition, the width dimension and/or thelength dimension of the projections of the building portions B1′ and B2′may be the same.

Cover 200 may include additional entertainment elements that providesensory stimulation for the child. Referring to FIG. 6, in oneembodiment, an entertainment element 250 is connected to or integrallyformed with the sidewall 208 of cover 200. The entertainment element 250extends outwardly from the outer side 204 of the cover 200. Asillustrated, the entertainment element 250 forms a rear wall extendingupwardly beyond the projections 212 a-f with various indicia, such asmolded butterfly and caterpillar characters. The illustratedentertainment element 250 is exemplary only, and in other embodiments,it may have other configurations. However, any additional entertainmentelement provided on cover 200 should be configured such that it does notinterfere with the releasable attachment of the building components 500to building portion B2′. Alternatively, no additional entertainmentelements may be provided on cover 200.

Similarly, cover 150 may include additional entertainment elements.Cover 150 is configured to engage a support surface S, and support thecontainer 100 in an upright position on the support surface S, as shownin FIGS. 2 and 4. Thus, any additional entertainment element provided oncover 150 should be configured such that it does not extend outwardlybeyond the projections 162 a-f or otherwise cause cover 150 to beunbalanced when resting on the support surface S. Further, anyadditional entertainment element provided on cover 150 should beconfigured such that it does not interfere with the releasableattachment of the building components 500 to building portion B1′.

Referring again to FIG. 7, a plurality of support ribs 207 may extendfrom the inner side 206 of cover 200. The support ribs 207 provideadditional rigidity to cover 200. Projections 212 a-f may have a hollowconfiguration and define cavities 213 a, 213 b, 213 c, 213 d, 213 e, and213 f, respectively. The hollow configuration of projections 212 a-freduces the weight of cover 200 as well as the material required to formcover 200. The inner side 156 of cover 150 may be similarly configured,and include support ribs 207 and projections 162 a-f having a hollowconfiguration.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, each of the projections 162 a-f of cover 150may have a generally cylindrical configuration including a lower portion164 connected to the outer side 154 of cover 150, and a distal portion166. The distal portion 166 of each of the projections 162 a-f maypartially nest within the aligned and corresponding cavities 213 a-f ofcover 200. The inner side 206 of cover 200 may engage the outer side154, and thus engage building portion B1′ of cover 150.

In one embodiment, the distal portion 166 of a projection includes atapered or rounded edge 168. The distal portion 166 has a diameter d1,and the lower portion 164 has a diameter d2 that is larger than thediameter d1 of the distal portion 166. Each of the cavities 213 a-f,defined by the projections 212 a-f of the second cover 200, has a thirddiameter d3 (shown in FIG. 7) that is larger than the diameter d1 of thedistal portion 166. Thus, the distal portion 166 of each of theprojections 162 a-f may be inserted into the corresponding cavities 213a-f, so that cover 200 may be partially nested on the building portionB1′ of cover 150.

Alternatively or in addition, the inner side 206 of cover 200 mayinclude engagement walls or projections extending outwardly from theinner side 206, which engage at least a portion of the projections 162a-f of cover 150. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 10, the inner side206 of cover 200 includes engagement walls 215 extending outwardly fromthe inner side 206 and adjacent each of the cavities 213 a-f. Theengagement walls 215 may extend around the entire perimeter of each ofthe cavities 213 a-f. Alternatively, the engagement walls 215 may extendaround a portion of the perimeter of each of the cavities 213 a-f. Theengagement walls 215 have a diameter d4 greater than the diameter d2 ofthe projections 162 a-f of cover 150. Thus, a portion of the projections162 a-f below the distal portion 166 and having the diameter d2 may beengaged by the engagement walls 215. Thus, the inner side 206 of cover200 that includes engagement walls 215 provides a nesting surfaceengagable with the building portion B1′ of cover 150.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 11, cover 200 includes a pivotally coupledhandle 214. In one embodiment, cover 200 includes a protrusion 216extending outwardly from the sidewall 208 at one end 218 thereof.Another similarly configured protrusion 220 extends outwardly from thesidewall 208 at an opposing end 222 thereof. The handle 214 includesknobs 224, 226 on opposite ends, which are rotatably coupled to theprotrusions 216, 220, respectively.

The knobs 224, 226 are similarly constructed and only knob 226 isdescribed in detail herein for simplicity only. Referring to FIG. 12,knob 224 includes an inner wall 228 defining a recess 230, and an outerwall 232 having an extension member 234 extending along a portion of anend portion 236 of the outer wall 232. A stop member 238 extendsoutwardly from the inner wall 228 and into the recess 230. As shown inFIG. 13, each of the protrusions 216, 220 on the cover 200 includes anoutwardly extending engagement member 240. Rotational movement of thehandle 214 relative to the sidewall 208 is limited by the engagementmember 240 contacting the stop member 238.

The stop member 238 may be configured and positioned within the recess230 such that the handle 214 is permitted to rotate along the directionof arrow D1 until the handle 214 reaches a position P1 adjacent one face102 a of the sidewall 102, shown in FIG. 14. At position P1, theengagement member 240 engages the stop member 238, thereby restrictingfurther rotational movement in direction D1. The handle 214 may berotated in along the direction of arrow D2 opposite direction D1 untilthe handle 214 reaches a position P2 adjacent an opposing face 102 b ofthe sidewall 102, shown in FIG. 15. At position P2, the engagementmember 240 again engages the stop member 238, thereby restrictingfurther rotational movement in direction D2.

Referring again to FIG. 4, in one embodiment the sidewall 102 of thecontainer 100 includes locking protrusions 110, 112 extending outwardlyfrom opposing faces thereof and proximate to end 106. When end 106 ofthe sidewall 102 is disposed within the recess 210 of cover 200, thelocking protrusions 110, 112 are aligned with the knobs 224, 226 of thehandle 214. In order to releasably secure cover 200 to end 106, thehandle 214 is pivoted to an unlocked or lowered position, so that theextension member 234 of each of the knobs 224, 226 is positioned abovethe locking protrusions 110, 112, such as when the handle 214 is ineither position P1 or P2 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. When the handle 214is in the unlocked or lowered position, cover 200 may either be seatedon or removed from end 106 of the container 100.

When cover 200 is seated against end 106 of the container 100, thehandle 214 may be pivoted to an upright position in order to releasablylock cover 200 to end 106, such as shown in FIG. 2. As the handle 214 ispivoted to the upright position, the extension member 234 of each of theknobs 224, 226 is rotated to a position below or underneath the lockingprotrusions 110, 112, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. When the handle 214is pivoted to an upright or locked position, the locking protrusions110, 112 are intermediate the extension member 234 and the inner wall228. Each of the extension members 234 bear against the correspondinglocking protrusions 110, 112 upon an upward force on the handle 214and/or cover 200 (e.g. when the container 100 is carried by a childusing the handle 214), thereby releasably coupling or locking cover 200to end 106 of the container 100. Thus, the building set S2 may be easilycarried by a child.

Referring to FIG. 18, each of the building components 500 is engagablewith the building portion B1′ on cover 150 and with the building portionB2′ on cover 200. A child may arrange the covers 150 and 200 in variousplay arrangements and configurations, in addition to placing one or moreof the building components 500 within the receptacle 108 of thecontainer 100. Further, cover 200 may be nested upon cover 150 foralternative play arrangements. Building components 500 may be coupled tothe building portion B1′ of cover 150, and cover 200 then nested uponthe building components 500 that are placed on cover 150. A variety ofplay arrangements are possible due to the multiple building portions B1′and B2′.

Each of the building components 500 may include a housing having acavity for receiving a selected one of the projections 212 a-f or 162a-f. In one embodiment, each of the building components 500 includes ahousing 502 having a recess 504 extending into a face 506 thereof. Aselected one of the projections 212 a-f or 162 a-f is inserted into therecess 504 of an associated building component 500, thereby releasablyconnecting the building component 500 to the selected building portionB1′ or B2′. The building component 500 may also include an engagementmember 508 slidably coupled to the housing 502. The engagement member508 is disposed substantially within the housing 502 when the buildingcomponent 500 is disengaged from one of the projections 212 a-f or 162a-f and in an upright position, as shown by building component 500A.When the building component 500 is engaged with a selected one of theprojections 212 a-f or 162 a-f, the engagement member 508 is pushedoutwardly from the housing 502 by the selected projection 212 a-f or 162a-f, as shown by building component 500B. Exemplary building componentssuitable for use with the container 100 of the present invention areblocks marketed under the name Stack 'n Surprise Blocks™ byFisher-Price, Inc. of East Aurora, N.Y.

Referring to FIG. 19, the building set S2 may also include a rampcomponent 600 having an end 602 releasably coupleable to cover 150, andan opposing end 604 releasably coupleable to cover 200 when cover 200 isremoved from the sidewall 102 of the container 100. The ramp component600 may include a third building portion B3. The third building portionB3 may include a plurality of projections 606 a, 606 b, 606 c, and 606 dextending outwardly from a side 608 of the ramp component 600. Thebuilding components 500 are engagable with the third building portionB3. Alternatively, the ramp component may not include any projections.

Referring to FIG. 20, in one embodiment, the end 602 of the rampcomponent 600 includes projections 610, 612 receivable incorrespondingly configured slots 170, 172 provided in the sidewall 158of cover 150. The projections 610, 612 may be releasably retained withinthe corresponding slots 170, 172 via a friction fit. Similarly, theother end 604 of the ramp component 600 includes projections 614, 616receivable in correspondingly configured slots 242, 244 provided in thesidewall 208 of cover 200. The projections 614, 616 may be releasablyretained within the corresponding slots 242, 244 via a friction fit. Thefriction fit between the projections 610, 612, 614, 616 andcorresponding slots 170, 172, 242, 244, respectively, should besufficient snug so that the ramp component 600 and covers 150, 200 maybe retained in a coupled arrangement, as shown in FIG. 19. However, achild should be able to easily remove the projections 610, 612, 614, 616from the corresponding slots 170, 172, 242, 244, if desired.

Each of the ends 602, 604 of the ramp component 600 may alternativelyinclude a single projection receivable in a selected slot in the covers150, 200, or more than two projections receivable in corresponding slotsin the covers 150, 200. Further, either or both of the covers 150 and200 may include multiple slots spaced about the sidewalls 158, 208thereof, so that the corresponding ends 602, 604 of the ramp component600 may be secured to a selected one of a plurality of differentpositions on the covers 150 and 200. Further, other mechanisms forreleasably securing the ramp component 600 to the covers 150, 200 may beemployed. Thus, the illustrated connection mechanism is exemplary only.

The various components of the container 100 are formed of plastic andcan either be translucent or opaque, as desired.

While the covers 150 and 200 are illustrated as each having sixprojections, in alternative embodiments, the quantity of projections oneach of the covers 150 and 200 can vary. For example, in someembodiments, each of the covers 150 and 200 may have fewer than sixprojections, such as four. Alternatively, in other embodiments, each ofthe covers 150 and 200 may have more than six projections. While theprojections in the illustrated embodiment are cylindrical, inalternative embodiments, the projections may have different shapes, suchas square, rectangular, or oval cross-sections.

In the illustrated embodiment, the size (width and height) of theprojections on a particular cover 150 or 200 are substantially the same.However, in different embodiments, at least one the projections on acover can vary in height or width relative to at least one of the otherprojections on that cover. In an alternative embodiment, each of theprojections on a cover may be different than the other projections onthat cover.

Thus, the specific configurations of the covers, building portionsand/or container may vary. Further, alternative embodiments may includeone or more features of the several embodiments described herein.

For example, a building set S3 according to another embodiment isillustrated in FIG. 21. Building set S3 includes a container 300configured to hold a plurality of building components 500. Referring toFIGS. 21 and 22, container 300 includes a sidewall 302 with ends 304 and306 that are opposite each other, and an end wall 308 connected to thesidewall 302 and enclosing end 306. The building components 500 may beplaced in a receptacle 310 defined by the container 300. The buildingset S3 also includes a cover 350 removably coupleable to end 306, andanother cover 400 removably coupleable to end 304.

The end wall 308 includes a building portion B3. Similar to buildingportion B1′, building portion B3 includes several projections 312 a, 312b, 312 c, 312 d, 312 e, and 312 f extending outwardly from end wall 308and away from the receptacle 310. Each of projections 312 a-f of thebuilding portion B3 are configured to engage a building component 500,such as described above.

Referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, cover 350 includes a body portion 352having opposing sides 354, 356 and a sidewall 358. Side 354 includes arecess 360 configured to receive the end wall 308 and building portionB3 of the container 300 therein, as shown in FIG. 21. Side 356 includesanother building portion B1″. Building portion B1″ includes severalprojections 362 a, 362 b (shown engaging a building component 500), 362c, 362 d, 362 e, and 362 f. Each of the projections 362 a-f of thebuilding portion B1″ are configured to engage a building component 500.

Projections 362 a-f may have hollow configurations and define cavities364 a, 364 b, 364 c, 364 d, 364 e, and 364 f, respectively. Each of thecavities 364 a-f is in communication with the recess 360, and receivesat least a portion of a correspondingly aligned one of the projections312 a-f of the building portion B3 of the container 300. For example,the distal portion of each of the projections 312 a-f may partially nestwithin the aligned and corresponding cavities 364 a-f, such as describedabove. In one embodiment, the building portion B3 is releasably securedwithin the recess 360, such as by a friction fit of the projections 312a-f within the cavities 364 a-f, so that the cover 350 is securelymaintained on the container 300 when desired, such as when the container300 is being carried and/or moved.

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 25, cover 400 includes a body portion 402having opposing sides 404, 406, and a sidewall 408. Side 404 isconfigured to be supported by and/or engage end 304 of the container300. Similar to outer side 204 of cover 200, side 406 includes anotherbuilding portion B2″. Building portion B2″ includes several projections410 a, 410 b, 410 c, 410 d, 410 e (not shown), and 410 f. Each of theprojections 410 a-f of the building portion B2″ are configured to engagea building component 500.

Side 406 may have an angular or arcuate profile, so that at least one ofthe projections 410 a-f is disposed on one horizontal plane p1, andanother of the projections 410 a-f is disposed on another horizontalplane p2 spaced from plane p1 (see FIG. 21). For example, the distalends of projections 410 a-b (and/or 410 e-f) may lie on or be locatedalong plane p1, while the distal ends of projections 410 c-d may lie onor be located along plane p2. The non-planar configuration of buildingportion B2″ provides a unique building surface, thereby enhancing theplay experience.

In some embodiments, the building portions B1″, B2″ and B3 have the sameconfiguration in that each has projections that extend outwardlyrelative to the container 100, such as described above. In oneembodiment, the building portions B1″, B2″ and B3 have the same quantityof projections and/or the projections of the building portions B1″, B2″and B3 have the same overall shape. In addition, the width dimensionand/or the length dimension of the projections of the building portionsB1″, B2″ and B3 may be the same.

Cover 400 includes a pivotally coupled handle 412, which may have asimilar configuration to handle 214. Accordingly, handle 412 may berotatably coupled to sidewall 408, such as by protrusions and knobs asdescribed above for handle 214. Further, the sidewall 302 of thecontainer 300 may include locking protrusions (such as lockingprotrusions 110, 112) extending outwardly from opposing faces thereof,which are releasably engaged by correspondingly configured extensionmembers on the handle 412 for releasably locking the cover 400 to thecontainer 300. Thus, the building set S3 may be carried by a child in amanner similar to that described above for the building set S2.

Cover 350 and/or cover 400 may include additional entertainment elementsthat provide sensory stimulation for the child. Further, each of thebuilding components 500 is engagable with the building portion B3 on theend wall 308 of the container 300, with the building portion B2″ oncover 350, and with building portion B1″ on cover 400. A child mayarrange the container 300 and covers 350, 400 in various playarrangements and configurations. For example, container 300 and cover350 may be inverted so that the building portions B3, B2″ are facingupwardly relative to a support surface and usable as building surfacesby the child. Further, end wall 308 of the container 300 may be nestedwithin recess 360 of cover 350 for alternative play arrangements. Thus,a variety of play arrangements are possible due to the multiple buildingportions B3, B2″ and B1″.

A building set S4 according to an alternative embodiment is illustratedin FIGS. 26 and 27. Building set S4 includes a container 700 configuredto hold a plurality of building components 500. Container 700 includes asidewall 702 with ends 704 and 706 that are opposite each other, and anend wall 708 connected to the sidewall 702 and extending outwardly fromend 706. The building components 500 may be placed in a receptacle 710defined by the container 700. The building set S4 also includes a cover750 removably coupleable to end 706, and another cover 780 removablycoupleable to end 704.

In one embodiment, a portion of the sidewall 702 defines a door 712 thatis pivotally coupled to end 706. Door 712 includes a distal end 714movable between a closed position aligned with end 704 (shown in FIG.26) and an open position extending outwardly from end 706 (shown in FIG.27). The door 712 may include detents 716 disposed at the distal end 714and configured to engage indents 718 provided proximate the end 704 whenthe door 712 is in the closed position. Thus, the door 712 may be easilymaintained in the closed position when desired.

Cover 750 includes a body portion 752 having opposing sides 754, 756 anda sidewall 758. Side 754 includes a recess 760 configured to receive theend wall 708 of the container 700 therein. In one embodiment, the endwall 708 is releasably secured within the recess 760, such as by afriction fit, so that the cover 750 is securely maintained on thecontainer 700 when desired, such as when the container 700 is beingcarried and/or moved. The recess 760 includes a base 762 with severalprojections 764 a, 764 b (shown engaging a building component 500), 764c, 764 d, 764 e, and 764 f extending upwardly from the base 762 anddefining a building portion B1′″. Each of the projections 764 a-f of thebuilding portion B1′″ are configured to engage a building component 500.

The other cover 780 includes a body portion 782 having opposing sides784, 786, and a sidewall 788. Side 786 is configured to be supported byand/or engage at least a portion of end 704 of the container 700, suchas opposing sides of the container 700 as shown in FIG. 26. Side 784includes another building portion B2′″. Building portion B2′″ includesseveral projections 790 a, 790 b, each of which are configured to engagea building component 500.

The cover 780 includes a side portion 780 a angularly disposed relativeto another side portion 780 b, so that the cover 780 has an arched orbridge-like configuration when resting on a support surface with thebuilding portion B2′″ facing upwardly. A handle 792 is pivotally coupledto the sidewall 788. In one embodiment, opposing ends of side 786releasably engage correspondingly aligned portions of end 704 of thecontainer 700, such as via friction fit, clips, snaps, etc. forreleasably locking the cover 780 to the container 700.

Cover 750 and/or cover 780 may include additional entertainment elementsthat provide sensory stimulation for the child. Further, each of thebuilding components 500 is engagable with the building portion Br on thecover 750 and with the building portion B2′″ on the cover 780. Thecontainer 700 and covers 750, 780 may be arranged in various playarrangements and configurations, such as shown in FIG. 27.

A building set S5 according to an alternative embodiment is illustratedin FIGS. 28, 29 and 30. Building set S5 includes a container 800configured to hold a plurality of building components 500. In oneembodiment, container 800 has a generally square or rectangularconfiguration and includes sidewalls 802, 804, 806, 808, a bottomportion 810 extending between and connecting an end 812 of sidewalls802-808, and a top portion 814 extending between an opposite end 816 ofsidewalls 802-808. The building components 500 may be placed in areceptacle 818 defined by the container 800 as shown in FIG. 30.

One or more of the sidewalls 802-808 may include a building portion.Referring to FIG. 29, sidewall 806 includes a building portion B4including projections 820 a, 820 b, 820 c, and 820 d, each of which areconfigured to engage a building component 500. Sidewall 808 includesanother building portion B5 including a single projection 822 a, whichis configured to engage a building component 500.

In one embodiment, the top portion 814 of the building set S5 defines acover 850 pivotally coupled to end 816 of the container 800 and movablebetween a closed position (shown in FIGS. 28 and 29) and an openposition (shown in FIG. 30). The cover 850 has opposing sides 852, 854and a sidewall 856. Side 852 includes another building portion B6.Building portion B6 includes several projections 858 a, 858 b, 858 c,and 858 d, each of which are configured to engage a building component500.

Sidewalls 802-808 and/or cover 850 may include additional entertainmentelements, patterns, textures and/or graphic indicia that provide sensorystimulation for the child. Further, each of the building components 500is engagable with the building portion B4 on the sidewall 806, thebuilding portion B5 on the sidewall 808, and with the building portionB6 on the cover 850.

A building set S6 according to an alternative embodiment is illustratedin FIG. 31. Building set S6 includes a container 900 configured to holda plurality of building components 500. Container 900 includes sidewall902, a bottom portion 904 extending between and connecting an end 906 ofsidewall 902, and a top portion 908 extending between and connecting anopposite end 910 of sidewall 902. The top portion 908 includes anopening 912. The building components 500 may be placed through theopening 912 and into a receptacle defined by the container 900.

The sidewall 902 includes a building portion B7 having projections 916a, 916 b, 916 c, and 916 d, each of which are configured to engage abuilding component 500. Sidewall 902 may include another buildingportion B8 spaced from building portion B7, which has projections 918 a,918 b. Projections 918 a, 918 b are configured to engage a buildingcomponent 500. Sidewall 902 may include additional building portions.Alternatively or in addition, sidewall 902 may include additionalentertainment elements, patterns, textures and/or graphic indicia thatprovide sensory stimulation for the child.

The top portion 908 includes a wall 920 with threads extending upwardlytherefrom and about a perimeter of the opening 912. A cover 950 isreleasably securable to the wall 920. The cover 950 includes an upperportion 952 and a sidewall 954. The sidewall 954 may have a threadedinterior configuration, which engages correspondingly configured threadson the wall 920 of the top portion 908. Thus, the cover 950 may bescrewed onto or off of the top portion 908. The upper portion 952 of thecover 950 includes another building portion B9 having severalprojections 956 a, 956 b, 956 c, and 956 d, each of which are configuredto engage a building component 500.

Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described hereinas embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless notintended to be limited to the details shown, since various modificationsand structural changes may be made therein without departing from thescope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents ofthe claims. In addition, various features from one of the embodimentsmay be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it isappropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in amanner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. A building set, comprising: a container having an upper end, a lowerend, and a sidewall, the sidewall and the lower end defining areceptacle into which building components can be placed, the upper enddefining an opening in communication with the receptacle, the lower endof the container including an outer surface defining a first buildingportion on which the building components can be placed, the firstbuilding portion having a configuration; and a cover removably coupledto the container, the cover being coextensive with the opening of thecontainer, the cover including an outer surface defining a secondbuilding portion on which the building components can be placed, thesecond building portion having a configuration, the configuration of thesecond building portion being the same as the configuration of the firstbuilding portion.
 2. The building set of claim 1, wherein the firstbuilding portion includes a plurality of projections extending outwardlyfrom the outer surface of the lower end of the container.
 3. Thebuilding set of claim 2, wherein the second building portion includes aplurality of projections extending outwardly from the cover.
 4. Thebuilding set of claim 1, wherein the cover is a first cover, thesidewall of the container extends continuously around the perimeter ofthe container, and the lower end of the container includes a secondcover fixedly coupled to a lower end of the sidewall, wherein the secondcover includes the first building portion.
 5. The building set of claim4, wherein the sidewall of the container includes a first end and asecond end, each of the first cover and the second cover includes a bodyportion and a wall portion defining a receptacle, the wall portion ofthe first cover receiving the first end of the container sidewall, andthe wall portion of the second cover receiving the second end of thecontainer sidewall.
 6. The building set of claim 1, wherein each of thebuilding portions includes a plurality of projections and each of thebuilding components is a block with a cavity that receives one of theplurality of projections.
 7. The building set of claim 1, wherein thecover is a first cover, the sidewall of the container extendscontinuously around the perimeter of the container, and the lower end ofthe container includes a second cover removably coupled to a lower endof the sidewall, wherein the second cover includes a third buildingportion.
 8. The building set of claim 7, wherein the second coverincludes a first side and an opposite second side, the third buildingportion of the second cover disposed on the first side, the second sideincluding a nesting surface engagable with the first building portion ofthe of the lower end of the container.
 9. The building set of claim 1,wherein the cover is a first cover, the sidewall of the containerextends continuously around the perimeter of the container, and thelower end of the container includes a second cover removably coupled toa lower end of the sidewall, wherein the second cover includes the firstbuilding portion.
 10. A building set, comprising: a container having asidewall with a first end and a second end opposite the first end, thecontainer including a first cover and a second cover, the first coverbeing fixedly coupled to the first end of the sidewall, the first coverand the sidewall collectively forming a receptacle, the second coverbeing removably coupleable to the second end of the sidewall, the firstcover including a building portion, the second cover including abuilding portion, the building portion of the first cover having thesame configuration as the building portion of the second cover; and aplurality of building components, the building components beingplaceable in the receptacle defined by the container, the buildingcomponents being engagable with the building portion on the first coverand with the building portion on the second cover.
 11. The building setof claim 10, wherein the building portion of the first cover includes aplurality of projections extending outwardly from the first cover andthe building portion of the second cover includes a plurality ofprojections extending outwardly from the second cover.
 12. The buildingset of claim 11, wherein at least one of the building componentsincludes a recess formed therein, the at least one of the buildingcomponents being placeable on a projection of the first cover or of thesecond cover so that the projection is inserted into the recess.
 13. Thebuilding set of claim 10, further comprising a ramp component having afirst end and an opposite second end, the first end of the rampcomponent releasably coupleable to the building portion of the firstcover and the second end of the ramp component releasably coupleable tothe building portion of the second cover when the second cover isremoved from the second end of the sidewall.
 14. The building set ofclaim 10, wherein the second cover includes a first side and an oppositesecond side, the building portion of the second cover disposed on thefirst side, the second side including a nesting surface engagable withthe building portion of the first cover.
 15. A building assembly,comprising: a sidewall having a first end and a second end opposite thefirst end; a first cover fixedly coupled to the first end of thesidewall, the first cover including a body portion and at least oneprojection extending outwardly from the body portion, the first coverand the sidewall defining a receptacle; and a second cover removablycoupled to the second end of the sidewall, the second cover including abody portion and at least one projection extending outwardly from thebody portion, the at least one projection of the first cover having thesame configuration as the at least one projection of the second cover.16. The building assembly of claim 15, further comprising: a pluralityof building components, the plurality of components being placeable inthe receptacle, each of the building components being engagable with theat least one projection on the first cover and with the at least oneprojection on the second cover.
 17. The building assembly of claim 15,wherein the first cover includes a plurality of projections and thesecond cover includes a plurality of projections, the projections of thefirst cover having the same configuration as the projections of thesecond cover.
 18. The building assembly of claim 15, wherein the secondcover includes a handle pivotally coupled thereto.
 19. The buildingassembly of claim 15, further comprising a ramp component having a firstend and an opposite second end, the first end of the ramp componentreleasably coupleable to the first cover and the second end of the rampcomponent releasably coupleable to the second cover when the secondcover is removed from the second end of the sidewall.
 20. The buildingassembly of claim 15, wherein the body portion of the second coverincludes a first side and an opposite second side, the at least oneprojection extending outwardly from the first side of the body portion,the second side of the body portion including a nesting surfaceengagable with the at least one projection extending outwardly from thebody portion of the first cover.